STEM focus for City Deal

THE Hobart City Council will consider whether the University of Tasmania’s science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) proposal could be the centrepiece of a Hobart City Deal.

Alderman Philip Cocker will ask at Monday’s meeting for an urgent report to support the $400 million STEM pro- ject as the basis for a City Deal.

The project is one of a number of developments that have been identified as potential top priorities for any City Deal, along with a 2500-3000 seat conference centre at Macquarie Point, removing water and sewerage facilities from Macquarie Point and a Northern Suburbs light-rail system.

But because of its potential to improve educational out- comes in the state, Ald Cocker said the STEM project should be the jewel in a City Deal crown.

“I think in a way we need to unite behind one project and the message from the Federal Government seems to be along those lines,” Ald Cocker said.

“There’s a lot of other projects touted as part of a City Deal but I believe this one is the transformative one.

“And I believe if we get the STEM project then the other projects will come.”

The plan involves shifting the university’s STEM research and teaching functions to a 23,000sq m site at Argyle and Melville Sts.

The project has received endorsement from Infrastructure Australia and praise from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Ald Cocker said it had great potential for Tasmania.

“It will create a whole cul- ture around Hobart and Tasmania,” he said.

Earlier this week a report by the Regional Australia Institute identified Hobart as one of the possible locations for a City Deal from the Federal Government.

But the report warned any deal would fail unless local, state and federal governments were on the same page and ready for the opportunity and challenges.